Introduction........................................................................................ 3
Generative AI and Technology..........................................................4
Writing.................................................................................................5
Cover Letter..........................................................................................6
Comets to the Core Essay.....................................................................8
Virtual Exchange................................................................................ 12
Resume............................................................................................... 13
Dream Resume................................................................................... 14
Writing Conclusion.............................................................................15
Oral & Visual Communication....................................................... 16
LinkedIn............................................................................................. 17
Presentation........................................................................................ 18
Slides.................................................................................................. 19
Customer Service............................................................................... 20
Teaching Experience.......................................................................... 21
AI and Tech........................................................................................ 22
Textbook Pilot Evaluation.................................................................. 23
Future Growth & Development...................................................... 24
Feedback and Criticism...................................................................... 25
Lab Reflection.................................................................................... 26
Indicator of Growth............................................................................ 27
Conclusion.........................................................................................29
Introduction
About Me
Hello! I am Isabella Rom and I am a finance major at
The University of Texas at Dallas. I was exposed to
leadership responsibilities early on, which helped me
build my communication, organization, and
problem-solving skills. I am a very detail-oriented,
motivated individual that prioritizes making
data-driven conclusions, improving skills, and
raising the standard with every achievement.
Experience
Throughout my educational career, I sought out
various opportunities to improve my skills, and
network with people. I am a member of the
Professional Program in Finance (PPF9), the Vice President of the Financial Leadership
Association, and a finalist in the 2025 Consulting Case Competition. In the summer of 2025, I
interned at Carbo Ceramics on the FP&A team, where I was tasked with a project to review the
supply chain process and inefficiencies in production, and present my findings and
recommendations to c-suite executives. This was an important role for me as it taught me how to
ask critical questions, make data-driven conclusions, and learn to communicate with different
levels of people.
How I Chose My Path
In high school, I learned about stock trading through my father and friends. I wanted to try it
myself and I began researching and learning different ways to make investment decisions. I’m
glad I went through with it because it is an activity that a lot of people that age were scared to
engage in. Overall, I can say I learned a completely new way of thinking than I had learned in
school, because this time there were actual risks.
After a few months of trading and researching, I was convinced that this was what I wanted to
do. While I’ve decided to study topics outside of stock trading, I still plan to be involved with
companies' finances and learn how to create successful businesses. A specific desire that drove
me to my decision to study finance is my interest in learning how people in other countries work
and what the work environments are like. I seek to travel the world, learn the most optimal way
of viewing business from experienced professionals, and find what is successful for different
companies.
Conclusion
Overall, my skills in communication and organization have been greatly improving ever since
I’ve involved myself in extracurriculars. My goal is to continue to branch out and test my skills
in different fields so I can advance throughout my career.
Generative AI and Technology
Relation to Finance
In the field of finance, artificial intelligence is a handy tool that has expanded the ways in which
businesses operate compared to the past. From automatic trading to risk management and
customer service, AI has made results more accurate and quick to access.
The automation of repetitive and time-consuming tasks is one of the biggest advantages of AI.
These new algorithms can analyze vast datasets and calculate complex problems at incredible
speeds, reducing human error and saving professionals valuable time to complete other tasks. AI
also leads to cost savings if the data has a low chance of being incorrect.
Another significant contribution of AI to the business field is its ability to analyze customer data.
AI has opened new doors in the field of banking, allowing for services like personalized
investment advice. Additionally, companies can gain better intel on their audience as a whole
because large samples are analyzed in a short amount of time. These contributions are important
because business executives can then use this information to make better decisions to drive their
companies forward.
My Future With AI
By the time I’m in a professional job, AI will be much more prominent in the business world
compared to now. The foreseeable opportunities of artificial intelligence will allow people in my
generation to achieve and research further into advanced analytics and business management. In
the future, I see myself and other students taking classes specifically targeted toward learning the
functions of AI and utilizing it effectively. Additionally, the jobs that are being replaced with
robots will be substituted by AI research and development. The field of computer science has
expanded greatly in the last few years due to the advancements of AI.
With that said, AI doesn’t come without its flaws, though. While it’s known for its accuracy,
that’s not the case 100% of the time. We can’t be too reliant on AI just yet because it still needs
improving. AI also can’t be trusted with its decision-making. It is not able to contextualize
situations to make the most optimal decisions, and leaving those AI-made decisions without
review from a human can cause problems in a business setting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AI is still in the beta stage and will continue to be updated as we learn how to
improve it. Who knows how much power humans are willing to give AI?
Writing
In my writing, I keep in mind how the context affects the tone in which I convey the message I
desire. A notable skill of mine is the ability to show a significant difference between casual
writing and professional writing. Growing up, my parents wanted to give me as much experience
meeting and conversing with adults to develop the right type of language. I don’t get nervous
when writing and addressing business associates because I am confident in my ability to remain
professional.
High school claims to “prepare students for college,” however, it surprises me how different the
writing styles are in high school and college. I took a couple of dual credit classes in high school,
and I felt that I learned and improved my writing more in one semester than in all the other years
in high school. College writing has a less structured format and allows for more creative
freedom.
On the other hand, one aspect of my writing that I would like to improve on is adding meaning
and depth to my words. Although I am able to get my main message to reach the audience, I
have trouble giving my words the power and weight behind them for people to remember them
and understand them. To achieve this, I often review the work of other successful writers and
mimic their writing style and word choice until I am able to do it myself smoothly.
Cover Letter
About the Job
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Global Finance & Business Management Summer Analyst Program
The Global Finance & Business Management Analyst Program (GF&BM) Insights Programs are
virtual events with business-specific overviews and networking, followed by interviews.
Participants will be provided with an introduction to financial services and the firm. They will be
exposed to our senior leaders and have an opportunity to learn about our businesses, build
professional development skills, and gain insight into how their diverse backgrounds and
perspectives as financial services professionals might positively impact the future of people’s
lives, the firm, and our industry.
We are looking for highly motivated individuals who have a passion for analysis that will help
drive strategic business decisions.
Key skills and interests include:
* Preferred minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
* Pursuing a B.A., B.S., or 5th year M.A. or M.S., with an expected graduation date between
December 2024 and June 2025
* Ability to thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work environment
* Excellent leadership, interpersonal and problem-solving skills
* A well-rounded academic background with an interest in financial management, data
analysis, and accounting
* Excel, PowerPoint, and Word proficiency
* Relevant internship experience and leadership in school or community organizations
Global Finance & Business Management Summer Analyst Program
Dear Mr. Marsh,
My name is Isabella Rom, and I am currently a freshman at the University of Texas at Dallas,
majoring in Finance.
I am writing to express my interest in the Summer 2024 Global Finance and Business
Management Intern position at Chase Bank. I spoke with one of your company representatives,
Hugo Rodriguez, who directed me to your contact for my interest in this program. When I heard
about this position, I felt that my professional experience and skills in adapting to diverse
environments and in teamwork, along with my various certifications, make me a worthy
candidate.
Throughout my internship with the FP&A team of a manufacturing company, I was entrusted
with a strategic project to map and analyze the entire supply chain from planning through
customer delivery. I conducted interviews across four production plants, identified inefficiencies
in inventory tracking, and developed recommendations for process improvements—all of which
I presented to senior leadership, including the CEO. I have also joined multiple groups related to
finance, like the Professional Program in Finance and the Financial Leadership Association, and
taken on leadership roles. Through coursework in Financial Modeling, Managerial/ Financial
Accounting, and Business Finance, I’ve developed a strong understanding of financial reporting
and forecasting. I recently applied these skills in a consulting case competition, where my team
and I forecasted new market growth using a comprehensive three-statement model.
Your company’s dedication and honesty to its clients creates an environment that I would love to
engage in and learn from. I have attached my resume to this email, and I would be thrilled to
meet you for an interview. Thank you for considering my application, and feel free to contact me
at isabella.rom@utdallas.edu.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Isabella Rom
isabella.rom@utdallas.edu
281-248-3596
The University of Texas at Dallas
Comets to the Core Essay
Future for Students and AI
With the spread of technology and artificial intelligence throughout the world, many
people wonder if society will stand a chance once AI has reached its full potential. AI has the
capacity to advance society to a level where flying cars and space travel are regular day
occurrences- things people only dreamed about. However, those advancements don’t come
without costs, and preparing humans (especially students) for a world with fully integrated AI
poses a challenge. Humans need to be educated on the things AI is and is not capable of and need
to be prepared to master the skills not achievable by computers. In terms of education, AI is most
relevant when it comes to self learning, its accuracy, and the long lasting effects it has on
students.
First, what can AI do? In a world that is ever so changing, the internet allows for
“self-directed learning” (Dede), which is a critical tool for modern students. The internet has
many options for learning that come at no cost at all, allowing students access to almost
everything there is to know about the world. A recent addition to education that has taken the
world by storm is bots like Chat GPT. Chatbots are great tools for students because they are
available 24/7, can give detailed explanations, and have all the cultivated information given to
them by billions of people around the world. There are also other apps that many students are
familiar with, like Photomath and Mathway that provide in-depth problem solving. Youtube or
Khan Academy are also platforms with videos from actual teachers that allow students to learn
for free and in some cases, better than in the classroom.
Throughout history, entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk have resorted to AI for
their professional knowledge. They have been able to achieve great things as college dropouts
and learning all they need from the internet. This puts into question the relevancy of schools, as
they can be seen to be a waste with their outdated education systems and highly variable quality
of education. In the future, there will be an increasing number of students who choose to learn
from the internet than in schools since it is cheaper and good quality. If AI provides the same, if
not better, education than schools and is free, why don’t more people just drop out of school?
The reality is that the business world has not yet accepted AI entirely, and employers who see a
degree trust those applicants more simply because it shows effort and “proper” education. The
outlines of having a “proper” education have kept the reputability of AI’s ability to teach below
that of a certified teacher. In the end, it all comes down to what a person decides to do with their
education that determines their success in other people’s eyes.
On the other hand, AI programs are not perfect quite yet. A lot of apps and software that
use AI for educational purposes are usually small companies without much funding or
professional programmers. As previously mentioned, Photomath and Mathway are amongst the
most popular AI math assistants, however Mathway requires a subscription and Photomath is not
as accurate in some instances. Tools like these are rarely updated and because the education is
not consistent throughout the United States, neither are the math solutions. Another program that
struggles with accuracy is Grammarly. As widely used as it is, I have personally encountered
times where Grammerly’s suggestions are simply incorrect. Finally, another AI tool that has
actually been used in a course at UT Dallas is Quinccia. This website provides practice
interviews conducted by AI, and resume screening. It is the first website of its kind I have
encountered, however myself and some other students agree that this program's accuracy and
grading of student’s resumes and interviews are questionable. Until these AI programs are
completely updated, students will never be able to rely on fully AI-taught education.
So how will AI affect students in the future? Students will see an increase in AI when it
comes to job interviews or even grading papers. As most people know, Chat GPT has become a
“valuable cheating tool” in education (Leffer). This puts the actual knowledge of students into
question, and whether students are actually learning or not. From the students perspective, they
will need to learn how to act a certain way that will prevent a bot from misinterpreting
communication, or even write a certain way that allows AI recognize what’s correct. AI isn’t
human, and it doesn’t know what’s human-like and what are alternatives for certain actions. The
best way to put it is in order to understand AI, “we need to change what we're educating people
for because if you educate people for what AI does well, you're just preparing them to lose to
AI,” states Chris Dene.
Overall, generative AI has good and bad parts to it, but how we use AI will dictate
whether we as humans are ready for it. For students, it is important to recognize AI’s roles in
self-learning, accuracy, and its long lasting effects on students.
References
Anderson, J. (2023, February 9). Educating in a World of Artificial Intelligence: Chris
Dede discusses how education can evolve to work with — rather than fight
against — Artificial Intelligence. Https://www.gse.Harvard.edu/. Retrieved
September 1, 2023, from
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/edcast/23/02/educating-world-artificial-intellig
ence
Gates, B. (2023, July 11). The risks of AI are real but manageable.
Https://www.GatesNotes.com/. Retrieved September 1, 2023, from
https://www.gatesnotes.com/The-risks-of-AI-are-real-but-manageable
Leffer, L. (2023, August 25). ChatGPT Can Get Good Grades. What Should
Educators Do about It?: AI can generate clear, concise text—But people still need
to learn how to write. ScientificAmerican.com. Retrieved September 1, 2023,
from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chatgpt-can-get-good-grades-what-sho
uld-educators-do-about-it/
Virtual Exchange
Introduction
At UT Dallas, I had the opportunity to participate in a virtual exchange project. This project
includes a select few students who meet online with students in France who are working
professionally and attending school simultaneously.
Meeting Summaries
In the first meeting, we talked about the structural differences between our school and their
specialized college in France and compared our daily activities, and I learned that European
schools tend to focus more on hands-on experience when it comes to learning. They also told us
about their unique work-school system, where they spend a month at university and a month at a
job in their field, as opposed to college students here doing internships separately from school.
Additionally, the topic of AI came up and how it applies to school and work. Turns out that the
US is one of the few places where AI is commonly used for anything other than data analytics,
along with some countries in Asia. They were surprised and slightly scared to learn that we had
already begun experimenting with AI interviews and resume screenings, saying it is something
not at all seen in France.
Conclusion
This experience was a chance to learn how foreign schooling and jobs work compared to the US.
Since I seek a career that allows me to travel and work outside the US, I value the information I
learned from them and the connections I now have with people on the other side of the world.
Resume
This version of my resume is my most current one. I have joined multiple organizations that add
to my resume, participated in a competition, and had an internship.
Dream Resume
This is a version of my resume that I want to achieve by my senior year of college. By then, I
plan to have more relevant courses and training associated with my major, along with multiple
internships and competitions.
Writing Conclusion
Throughout college, I have learned how to integrate AI into my writing in a proper way, utilizing
it for planning and coming up with ideas. My writing assignments were less stressful because I
was able to get ideas and topics to write about, creating a starting place for my brainstorming. I
also like AI for its grammatical editing because it has helped me learn some bad habits in my
writing that I needed to be made aware of, as well as helping me change my diction to achieve
my desired tone. I’ve had a good experience with AI overall, and I plan to continue to use it as a
tool to better myself in school and in the professional world.
Oral & Visual Communication
My Growth in Oral Communication
My experience as a speaker varies between different contexts. I’ve held a couple of leadership
positions in high school, which showed me how my work and effort directly affected the team's
outcome. I had to think about the ways in which I could speak to constructively criticize team
members, but also assert a sense of authority. I learned to find a balance between being viewed
as a friendly educator and a respected figure. I feel comfortable speaking to large crowds and
taking on leadership positions because I have heard from peers and superiors that I have a knack
for leading and public speaking.
One thing I’ve been able to improve through my internship was how to ask the right questions.
My project required me to use very delicate language towards senior leadership to tackle
inefficiencies the company was facing. I was mentored on how to formulate these questions not
only to be respectful, but to gather truthful data in the process.
In retrospect, my public speaking experience has taught me the importance of balance. Each type
of context has balance, whether talking to a stranger, an adult, or being a team leader. Being a
good speaker means you are able to put meaning behind your words and influence people to act
in a specific way.
My Growth in Visual Communication
In terms of my Visual Communication experience, the only way I saw improvement in myself
and my presentations was through practice. I’ve learned how to integrate gestures in my
speeches and presentations, and based on audience feedback, my presentations were perceived to
be professional and educational. I believe the final step to improving my visual communication
is the type of people I communicate with, and I will reach that desired audience once I get a
professional job,
LinkedIn
Presentation
Inspiration
The biggest thing I noticed during the first presentation project in my Business Communications
class was the skill disparity. Throughout high school, I was surrounded by outstanding speakers
and had many chances to apply my public speaking skills.
Preparing
As I prepared for the presentation, I held myself to high standards because that is what I had
been used to, and I can admit I also held high standards for my teammates. I don’t hold anything
against my teammates for how they performed, but I did humble myself a little bit when I
realized the reality of the situation. As a group, we attempted to help each other prepare and offer
advice; however, due to constraints and our unfamiliarity with each other, our desire for
independence directly affected our group’s results.
Goals for the Future
I had the impression I had the most public speaking experience out of the rest of my group
members, so in the future, I want to prioritize the group's success over my own because it can
help me improve myself by learning from other people.
Slides
These slides showcase two different presentations I have done this year. This first slide was part
of a presentation completed within a 20-minute time frame, and at first glance, it looks
overloaded with words.
Because we needed more
time to prepare, more
information had to be
added to the slides to
help us present without
forgetting what we
would discuss.
On the other hand, this slide is an example of a presentation that my group prepared within a
two-week window. Compared to the first one, sentences have been cut down and contain the
keywords and phrases we
want the reader to pay
attention to. The addition of
pictures, colored text, and a
variety of text sizes makes it
easy to recognize what the
main topics are. This is the
most effective version of
what a presentation visual
should look like. If the
subject of a presentation
revolves around data analysis,
graphs and visual research are
appropriate to add to convince and inform the audience and be a more credible speaker.
Customer Service
Introduction
Getting my first job was what introduced me to the professional world. I hadn’t had much
experience talking to adults before, so this was a good way for me to learn quickly by being
thrown into a customer service position. I looked forward to working at BMW because it aligned
with my interest in cars, which kept me enthusiastic about going to work.
What I Gained
Working in the service industry was the next step in building my communication skills. Since it
was my first time, I observed my coworkers and how they approached customers. I saw what
worked and what didn’t and slowly became more confident in my communication skills.
Unfortunately, the people on my team were not very cooperative, so I also got an insight into
how problems were dealt with. After a few weeks of practice, my performance was much
smoother, and I never doubted myself when faced with obstacles. Customers often felt satisfied
when I helped them, and my coworkers also complimented me on my unique communication
style.
Another skill I developed at my first job is organization. With the everyday fluctuation in
demand and customer flow, learning to operate smoothly in overloaded situations carries over
into many other areas. I’ve found myself better managing my time in school for studying and
other activities.
Teaching Experience
Being in a leadership position was the foundation for building my communication skills. Since it
came before my first job, leading a group in both high school and a martial arts school played a
significant role in my public speaking experience. I had always sought a leadership position,
which motivated me to work harder in that field. I spent more time and effort perfecting myself
and learning every detail so I could one day train just as successful students.
Working with various ages required me to learn how to maintain patience with younger people
and respect with adults. As a leader and teacher, my student’s success directly linked my effort
with their performance, and the last thing I wanted was to be called a bad example. When I
wasn’t seeing the desired results, I sought advice from more experienced leaders and worked
with being transparent with students.
AI and Tech
Learning to Use AI
My first time using AI was actually at the start of this Business Communication class. In high
school, there were a lot of restrictions and AI detection software, so I didn’t have the opportunity
to utilize it as much as I had wanted to. Since the beginning of my college experience, I noticed
how much more accepting professors are towards AI and how much students use it, such as
ChatGPT. If it hadn’t been for my Business Communication professor encouraging the use of AI
for particular assignments, I wouldn’t have opened up to it.
I am an ethical person, and I don’t feel satisfied copying AI sources for studies. However, I have
used ChatGPT to brainstorm possible essay topics and solve math questions. ChatGPT does a
better job, in my opinion, in expressing the step-by-step process of math problems compared to
pre-existing apps like Mathway or Photomath. Some of these “specialized math apps and
explanations” also require subscriptions.
Moving Forward
So far, I’ve found AI to be very convenient and mostly accurate for the purposes of my current
work. In terms of the finance field, AI is frequently used to calculate business-related data, which
allows professionals to apply that data to strategic planning.
Textbook Pilot Evaluation
This textbook has been a beneficial addition to this course as it has shown statistical
improvements in students' grades and readiness for tests; however, I’d like to go in-depth about
the content of the textbook. While the textbook is informative, I often found the chapters to be
very long and wordy. I like how the keywords are bolded and explained throughout; however, I
feel students would get a better grasp of the concepts if the central topic of each chapter were
more easily identifiable.
Finally, I believe the students would learn better with shorter chapter quizzes. I feel 20-30
questions are appropriate, but some quizzes were over 50 concepts, which is a minimum of 100
questions. The abundance of the material makes studying the quizzes later more of a hassle than
a review.
Future Growth & Development
My Goals
In general, during my time at The University of Texas at Dallas, I’ve been focusing on things
that will prepare me for my career. I’ve put aside most things I want to do because they’re not
beneficial to my major, and I strive to be the best at my job when I’m older.
Organizations
Some organizations I’ve involved myself in are the Professional Program in Finance and the
Financial Leadership Association, where I’ve been able to build my network and improve my
technical skills. I’ve also attended a few information sessions by big-name companies to learn
about their internship programs.
Conclusion
Transitioning to college has been the real test of my time-management skills because of how
different it is from any previous chapters of my life. I’ve been experimenting with different ways
to balance studying and things I want to do.
Feedback and Criticism
Lab Reflection
I found the certifications in Microsoft software to be the most beneficial asset this course offers.
The LinkedIn courses offer detailed explanations and give students other optional training to
complete. It also introduced the AI platform, Quinccia, which helped me find ways to improve
my resume.
Another one of the most beneficial assignments is the program research. I didn’t even know
JSOM offered some of those programs, and some of the lingering questions I had were answered
in that research, like the foreign exchange module. Finally, when it came time to register for
classes, it did offer a tutorial that prevented students from bombarding advisors with emails.
I think this lab is overall beneficial for students as it allows students to learn more about UTD by
getting involved and growing as professionals. I do wish the course was a little better organized
in eLearning as it was hard to find the location of some assignments or the assignments with
multiple parts were easily missed.
Indicator of Growth
Old Resume
This is the very first resume I made years ago for a school project that has been updated with
some current details before I made a new one from scratch this semester. Some of its biggest
flaws lie in the format– which is not up to standard for the new AI technology companies use to
screen resumes. Additionally, it lacks detailed explanations of my roles in the organizations I was
a part of. Currently, many of these organizations are not relevant because they were done in high
school and are not associated with my major, which is something many students my age are
self-conscious about.
New Resume
This is the most recent version of my resume, which I am much more proud of. This resume is
formatted for the AI screening tool, which would have my previous example instantly cut from
the hiring pool. Each organization and job experience also has more detailed explanations about
the roles I held and highlights my key skills.
Conclusion
Long-Term Goals
Looking to the future, I want to be more fluid in my business language and communicate in
professional settings like interviews in general. Currently, I still have to stop and think about my
words and make sure what I say makes sense. I look forward to my first internship because it’ll
be my first look into what I might be doing for the rest of my life. My dream is to reach some
sort of management position in a big banking or consulting company. I would love a job that
allows me to travel and learn how other people think to expand my knowledge. This dream is
what motivates me to work to excel in my field. I am confident that when I get good at my job, I
am more than capable of teaching and managing a team. Ultimately, I want to create an
environment where people won’t hate waking up for work in the morning but at least seem a
little bit optimistic, like another day of seeing friends.
AI in Finance
I think the finance industry already has a lot of AI incorporated into it, so I don’t think it’ll make
that big of a difference. The only thing worrying me is the fact that AI is capable of taking over
human jobs, but I think there will always be some human need, even when AI is around.